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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"